A Utah charter school is under fire for giving parents the choice to opt their kids out of Black History Month curriculum. Micah Hirokawa, the director of Maria Montessori Academy in North Ogden, Utah, claims he sent opt-out forms home after receiving requests from several parents. Now, he’s reversing the decision as the school faces national scrutiny and accusations of racism.
In a now deleted Facebook post obtained by the Standard Examiner, Hirokawa announced last week that he’d heard from “a few families” that didn’t want their students participating in lessons or celebrations related to Black History Month. “Reluctantly, I sent out a letter to our school community explaining that families are allowed to exercise their civil rights to not participate in Black History Month at the school,” he wrote.
The school’s policy has since gotten national media attention and sparked a major backlash online. February has been designated as Black History Month since 1976, and it’s intended to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans and to recognize the history of Black culture and the civil rights movement. To many, trying to opt kids out of these lessons is a signal that parents don’t value the history, contributions and stories of Black Americans.
“White privilege is my history being something you can opt [out] on while yours is a determining factor in whether or not a child goes to the next grade,” one person writes on Twitter.
“This is truly appalling,” another person adds. “And since when have families been given the right to opt out of school lessons? This is how ignorance and racism is kept alive in future generations. I feel for the children in those families. Shameful.”
Others are pointing out that Black history is a part of all American history, and it shouldn’t be relegated to a single month or presented as something people can simply opt out of. “Another reason to incorporate ‘Black history into ‘American History,’” one person writes. “This is our history as a nation. It’s not optional.”
Another asks, “Can my kids opt out of the white washed history lessons? Asking for a friend.”
Following the backlash, Hirokawa made the decision to reverse the school’s policy. In a statement shared to the Utah Montessorians Facebook page, Hirokawa says he regrets giving parents the option to opt out and all students will be learning the curriculum now.
“The Maria Montessori Academy Board of Directors and the School Director have one primary goal: providing a quality and equitable education to all of our students,” Hirokawa writes. “Celebrating Black History Month is part of our tradition. We regret that after receiving requests, an opt-out form was sent out concerning activities planned during this month of celebration. We are grateful that families that initially had questions and concerns have willingly come to the table to resolve any differences and at this time no families are opting out of our planned activities and we have removed this option.”
While it’s a good thing that Hirokawa is reversing his decision, it remains a problem that any parent would see Black History Month as an optional part of their child’s education. The U.S. is a diverse country with a complex history, and if the history lessons kids learn in school are going to be accurate, they must reflect the stories and triumphs of all Americans.
